Creating backgrounds which are effective is an essential part of the process of creating good designs .Here we will create a background which you can use for multiple projects in the end , ie background for presentations , for websites or simply an ad. This is a simple tutorial showing step by step how to create one using tools such as Pen tool , brushes and a simple Arc Effect.

Step 1

Creating background

Start off by creating a simple gradient background Here is the Theme of colours we will follow

It is always a good idea to have it clear in your mind what theme you are going to follow . I use often use colourlovers.com to help me in this process.

Create in the same way two more lines using Pen Tool (P) and using Object> Blend > make

Since your lines are all placed up now will be a good idea to play around with the nodes ( click on the End of start of your original line) adjust handle and stroke to get a better effect and curve in the lines. Here is my final result which i am happy with

Step 3

Elements Build up

Now we need to bring some elements into it . I brought This worldmap from my library and pasted it on the workboard

Right Click > Arrange> Bring to Front

Using a colour coinciding with the theme of your work colour the map accordingly

Step 4

Using Effects

I will use some effect to modify this map a bit

Go to Effects> ARC

Apply the effects you will get something like this

Step 5

Creating Arrows using Brushes

create some more random lines using the pen tool

open up your brush pallete Window> Brush Libraries > Arrows Standard

Select all your random lines and pick out an arrow brush and apply

Select each line one by one adjust stroke and width until you are satisfied with the outcome go to object>Expand your lines and drop a gradient shade to it , here i picked up from my colour pallete white and grey.

Step 6

Refining and Balancing

I am not too happy with the background at this point so i will add up a few more shapes .

And more

fill them up with the same gradient colour lighter than your background’s adjust transparencies until you are satisfied with the final outcome!

Chevron stripes have always been in fashion , and i don’t remember seeing anything with chevron stripes that doesn’t look good ! have you? . And when it comes to creating vector chevron patterns in illustrator it cant be easier than this and below i will tell you how.

I have earlier talked about some Premade vector patterns brushes that you can easily apply to a line in illustrator . And create instant effect of various chevron lines .

OR

if you are not at all familiar with What are vector brushes you can check out these posts of mine about vector patterns illustrator.

[private]Here is a very very quick and simple tutorial showing you how just using the most basic tools of illustrator you can create a Character in a matter of few minutes. This little guy has been named ” the mummy” and is an exclusive character of the family of Boxterz** characters.

First of all the preview of what we will be creating.

PREVIEW

STEP 1

Start off by creating a simple square , using the square shape tool while pressing shift create a perfect square and color it a light blue color.

STEP 2

Next use the mesh tool (U) and create a mesh node anywhere you like and , now using the direct selection tool (A) select the central node and color it a lighter shade.

STEP 4

Pretty obvious what i did here , one more black and two more white circles.

STEP 5

Using Pen tool create a smily little mouth

TIP : to join end points select both point and hit CTRL+J

STEP6

Use rounded rectangle tool and create three teeth side by side.

STEP 7

Using Pen tool(P) draw a gradient filled shape , i start randomly and keeping it a bit rough kept on wrapping up my mummy boxter.

STEP 8

Free hand drawing using pen tool continues.

STEP 9

DONE!

**Boxterz is a collection of whimsical boxed characters which are my new line of illustrations registered and ready for licensing , for licensing inquiries please contact me .The Character is registered please do not copy or distribute for commercial usage , all rights reserved.

You May also like Some more Vector Drawing` Tutorials!

Why am i screaming to get rid of that meshy messy mesh!? well just recently one of my illustrations Happy sun and moon was requested to be transformed into a wall decal for kids room. My problem arrived when i opened up the original file in my hard drive all colored up using mesh tool with the same technique that i used in coloring . And now converting the design into a flat appearance-less file for process of cutting the decal silhouette was required. Below is the preview of the illustrated objects and decal design if you are wondering 🙂

and the decal design

The Scenario

I want to get rid of mesh color fills messing up my file , yes as much as i love coloring up with mesh in works like this , things might get messy , as mesh refuses to go away from the final file even though i have deleted all the color nodes , the appearence pallete still shows Mesh points! and it just wont show how to delete the mesh points!? Yikes! help!

The Solution

Select the shape (now just outline of no mesh fills visible but still a mesh shape) go to path > offset path and create a new path just slightly offset this will result in a slightly bigger shape but with no mesh points! Voila i’m a happy girl 🙂 . If anyone has a better way of cleaning that up i or a solution where i can just remove it let me know !

[private]This is a step by step visualization of the making of the sugar skull illustration which i did . The steps are pretty explanatory as they walk you through how each step was done . It is more of a visual walk through i will be glad to describe any step if you need help along the way just leave a comment and i will get back.FINAL PREVIEW